Effect of a specially formulated diet on progression of heart enlargement in dogs with subclinical degenerative mitral valve disease.

Background: Previous studies in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) have identified altered myocardial energy metabolism and oxidation, which might contribute to cardiac hypertrophy. Diets rich in medium chain fatty acids and antioxidants are a potential means of treatment. A previous clinical study found significantly smaller left atrial diameter (LAD) and left atrium-to-aorta diameter ratio (LA : Ao) in dogs with subclinical DMVD fed a specially formulated diet vs control diet for 6 months.

Evidence of altered fatty acid metabolism in dogs with naturally occurring valvular heart disease and congestive heart failure.

Introduction: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common cardiac condition in adult dogs. The disease progresses over several years and affected dogs may develop congestive heart failure (HF). Research has shown that myocardial metabolism is altered in cardiac disease, leading to a reduction in β-oxidation of fatty acids and an increased dependence upon glycolysis.

Accuracy of history, physical examination, cardiac biomarkers, and biochemical variables in identifying dogs with stage B2 degenerative mitral valve disease.

Background: Treatment is indicated in dogs with preclinical degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) and cardiomegaly (stage B2). This is best diagnosed using echocardiography; however, relying upon this limits access to accurate diagnosis.

Objectives: To evaluate whether cardiac biomarker concentrations can be used alongside other clinical data to identify stage B2 dogs.

The effect of myxomatous mitral valve disease severity on packed cell volume in dogs.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether associations between disease severity and packed cell volume exist in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Materials And Methods: Data were selected from 289 dogs that had been examined at a research clinic (2004-2017) on multiple occasions (n=1465). American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine stage and echocardiographic measurements were entered in separate multivariable linear mixed effects models with packed cell volume as the dependent variable.

Risk indictors in cats with preclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify indicators of the risk of progression of preclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study following a population of cats with preclinical HCM. Cats serially underwent physical examination, blood pressure measurement, blood sampling and echocardiography.